Terry French, former Canadiens' draft pick, dead at 66

The Telegram

Published: Oct 03 at midnight

Updated: Oct 10 at 1:10 a.m.

One of the finest hockey players to come out of Grand Falls, and Newfoundland, passed away Tuesday. Terry French was only 66 when he died in a Fredericton, N.B. hospital of complications from diabetes and heart-related issues.

One year removed from high school hockey, French joined the Grand Falls Cataracts in 1969 and was the first winner of the Newfoundland Senior Hockey League’s Albert “Peewee” Crane Memorial Award as the league’s rookie of the year.

In 30 games with the Cataracts, French collected four goals and 11 assists.

It was during that season Bill Long, head coach of the Ontario Hockey Association’s Ottawa 67s, travelled to Grand Falls to see Don Howse play.

It was then Long took notice of the Cataracts’ fine young defenceman named French.

Howse and French would play for the 67s the next two years, French joining a blueline anchored by future Hall of Famer Denis Potvin.

Just getting his feet wet, French appeared in 54 games and collected 19 assists and 23 minutes in penalties.

French enjoyed a breakthrough 1970-71 junior campaign with the 67s, scoring seven goals and 36 points in 52 games, to go along with 90 penalty minutes.